Violent Clashes Erupt Outside Dublin Hotel After Migrant Charged with Sexual Assault on 10-Year-Old

Violent protests erupted in Dublin following the charging of a 26-year-old migrant, who was awaiting deportation after his asylum application was rejected, for the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old Irish girl under state care. The attacks on police included throwing bottles, fireworks, and setting a Garda vehicle on fire, prompting a heavy law enforcement response with shields, mounted units, a water cannon, and a helicopter present to control the unrest. Authorities condemned the violence as "thuggery" and vowed to relentlessly pursue and charge those responsible, with many arrests made amid ongoing tensions. The incident has intensified local concerns about the rapid expansion of migrant housing without adequate community oversight, especially near the Citywest Hotel, a major accommodation center for asylum seekers. Legal restrictions prevent naming the accused due to protections in sexual assault cases, further complicating public discourse. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly emphasized the distinction between peaceful protest and the violent acts witnessed during these confrontations.